Arkivism
Rumal with Vishnu temple and subsidiary shrines
CC0 · no rights reserved

Rumal with Vishnu temple and subsidiary shrines

1700s · Silk and silver embroidery on cotton tabby ground

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Two women bring gifts of pure water in a golden pot along with a flower garland to the four-armed blue Vishnu, whose favorite plant, the Tulsi basil, grows in an altar in front of the temple. Ten more shrines round out the sacred complex. To the upper right, the temple of Shiva with his trident stands next to that of his red, elephant-headed son, Ganesha. To the lower left, there appears to be temples to the sun and moon. Silver threads used to denote jewelry have tarnished and appear black. The unfinished border reveals that outlines and stitches for the vines were sewn last.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineRumal with Vishnu temple and subsidiary shrines, 1700s. Northern India, Pahari Kingdom of Chamba. Silk and silver embroidery on cotton tabby ground; overall: 62.2 x 63.5 cm (24 1/2 x 25 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade, 1916.1208

Similar works